Method for transmitting HARQ-ACK information, and communication device

ABSTRACT

The present specification relates to a wireless communication system, and to a method and a device therefore, the method comprising: determining, in a state in which a first PUCCH resource related to a first UCI overlaps, in a time domain, a plurality of PUCCH resources related respectively to a plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads, a third PUCCH resource for multiplexing a first HARQ-ACK payload and the first UCI on the basis of the first UCI and the first HARQ-ACK payload related to one (a second PUCCH resource) of the plurality of PUCCH resources; and transmitting the first HARQ-ACK payload and the first UCI on the third PUCCH resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/KR2019/012567, filed on Sep. 27, 2019,which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority toKorean Application Nos. 10-2018-0115281, filed on Sep. 27, 2018,10-2019-0017802, filed on Feb. 15, 2019, 10-2019-0080816, filed on Jul.4, 2019, and 10-2019-0114693, filed on Sep. 18, 2019, the contents ofwhich are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND ART

A variety of technologies, such as machine-to-machine (M2M)communication, machine type communication (MTC), and a variety ofdevices demanding high data throughput, such as smartphones and tabletpersonal computers (PCs), have emerged and spread. Accordingly, thevolume of data throughput demanded to be processed in a cellular networkhas rapidly increased. In order to satisfy such rapidly increasing datathroughput, carrier aggregation technology or cognitive radio technologyfor efficiently employing more frequency bands and multiple inputmultiple output (MIMO) technology or multi-base station (BS) cooperationtechnology for raising data capacity transmitted on limited frequencyresources have been developed.

As more and more communication devices have required greatercommunication capacity, there has been a need for enhanced mobilebroadband (eMBB) communication relative to legacy radio accesstechnology (RAT). In addition, massive machine type communication (mMTC)for providing various services at any time and anywhere by connecting aplurality of devices and objects to each other is one main issue to beconsidered in next-generation communication.

Communication system design considering services/user equipment (UEs)sensitive to reliability and latency is also under discussion. Theintroduction of next-generation RAT is being discussed in considerationof eMBB communication, mMTC, ultra-reliable and low-latencycommunication (URLLC), and the like.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

As new radio communication technology has been introduced, the number ofUEs to which a BS should provide services in a prescribed resourceregion is increasing and the volume of data and control information thatthe BS transmits/receives to/from the UEs to which the BS providesservices is also increasing. Since the amount of resources available tothe BS for communication with the UE(s) is limited, a new method for theBS to efficiently receive/transmit uplink/downlink data and/oruplink/downlink control information from/to the UE(s) using the limitedradio resources is needed. In other words, due to increase in thedensity of nodes and/or the density of UEs, a method for efficientlyusing high-density nodes or high-density UEs for communication isneeded.

A method to efficiently support various services with differentrequirements in a wireless communication system is also needed.

Overcoming delay or latency is an important challenge to applications,performance of which is sensitive to delay/latency.

The objects to be achieved with the present disclosure are not limitedto what has been particularly described hereinabove and other objectsnot described herein will be more clearly understood by persons skilledin the art from the following detailed description.

Technical Solution

As an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of transmitting hybridautomatic repeat request-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) information by acommunication device in a wireless communication system is provided. Themethod comprises: in a state in which a first physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) resource associated with first uplink controlinformation (UCI) overlaps with a plurality of PUCCH resourcesassociated with a plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads in a time domain,determining a third PUCCH resource for multiplexing the first UCI and afirst HARQ-ACK payload associated with a second PUCCH resource being oneof the plurality of PUCCH resources, based on the first HARQ-ACK payloadand the first UCI, and transmitting the first HARQ-ACK payload and thefirst UCI in the third PUCCH resource. The remaining HARQ-ACK payloadsexcept for the first HARQ-ACK payload among the plurality of HARQ-ACKpayloads are not transmitted in the third PUCCH resource.

As another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device fortransmitting HARQ-ACK information in a wireless communication system isprovided. The communication device comprises at least one transceiver,at least one processor, and at least one computer memory operativelycoupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions whichwhen executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations.The operations comprise: in a state in which a first PUCCH resourceassociated with first UCI overlaps with a plurality of PUCCH resourcesassociated with a plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads in a time domain,determining a third PUCCH resource for multiplexing the first UCI and afirst HARQ-ACK payload associated with a second PUCCH resource being oneof the plurality of PUCCH resources, based on the first HARQ-ACK payloadand the first UCI, and transmitting the first HARQ-ACK payload and thefirst UCI in the third PUCCH resource through the at least onetransceiver. The remaining HARQ-ACK payloads except for the firstHARQ-ACK payload among the plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads are nottransmitted in the third PUCCH resource.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, the second PUCCH resource maybe an earliest PUCCH resource among the plurality of PUCCH resources.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, the second PUCCH resource maybe a PUCCH resource associated with a specific type of downlink channelamong the plurality of PUCCH resources.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, the specific type of downlinkchannel may be a first type of channel between the first type of channeland a second type of channel. The first type of channel may have a lowerquality of service (QoS) requirement than the second type of channel.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, in a state in which the thirdPUCCH resource overlaps with another PUCCH resource in the time domain,the plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads may be transmitted respectively inthe plurality of PUCCH resources, while transmission of the first UCI inthe first PUCCH resource may be dropped.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of PUCCHresources may not overlap with each other in the time domain.

In each aspect of the present disclosure, the communication device mayinclude an autonomous driving vehicle communicable with at least a userequipment (UE), a network, or another autonomous driving vehicle otherthan the communication device.

The foregoing solutions are merely a part of the examples of the presentdisclosure and various examples into which the technical features of thepresent disclosure are incorporated may be derived and understood bypersons skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

Advantageous Effects

According to implementation(s) of the present disclosure, a wirelesscommunication signal may be efficiently transmitted/received.Accordingly, the total throughput of a wireless communication system maybe raised.

According to implementation(s) of the present disclosure, variousservices with different requirements may be efficiently supported in awireless communication system.

According to implementation(s) of the present disclosure, delay/latencygenerated during radio communication between communication devices maybe reduced.

The effects according to the present disclosure are not limited to whathas been particularly described hereinabove and other effects notdescribed herein will be more clearly understood by persons skilled inthe art related to the present disclosure from the following detaileddescription.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure, illustrate examples ofimplementations of the present disclosure and together with the detaileddescription serve to explain implementations of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication system 1 to whichimplementations of the present disclosure are applied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of communication devicescapable of performing a method according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a wireless device capable ofperforming implementation(s) of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a frame structure used in a 3rdgeneration partnership project (3GPP)-based wireless communicationsystem;

FIG. 5 illustrates a resource grid of a slot;

FIG. 6 illustrates a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement(HARQ-ACK) transmission/reception procedure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)transmission/reception procedure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of multiplexing uplink control information(UCI) with a PUSCH;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process for a UE with overlappingphysical uplink control channels (PUCCHs) in a single slot to handlecollision between UL channels;

FIG. 10 illustrates cases for performing UCI multiplexing based on FIG.12 ;

FIG. 11 illustrates a process for a UE with an overlapping PUCCH andPUSCH in a single slot to handle collision between UL channels;

FIG. 12 illustrates UCI multiplexing considering a timeline condition;

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary transmissions of a plurality of HARQ-ACKPUCCHs in a slot;

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary UL transmission according to the presentdisclosure, when a PUCCH overlaps with a plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCHs(which do not overlap with each other) on the time axis; and

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary method of transmitting a UL signal by acommunication device according to an example of the present disclosure.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, implementations according to the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thedetailed description, which will be given below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, is intended to explain exemplary implementationsof the present disclosure, rather than to show the only implementationsthat may be implemented according to the present disclosure. Thefollowing detailed description includes specific details in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosuremay be practiced without such specific details.

In some instances, known structures and devices may be omitted or may beshown in block diagram form, focusing on important features of thestructures and devices, so as not to obscure the concept of the presentdisclosure. The same reference numbers will be used throughout thepresent disclosure to refer to the same or like parts.

A technique, a device, and a system described below may be applied to avariety of wireless multiple access systems. The multiple access systemsmay include, for example, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system,a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, a time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) system, an orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess (OFDMA) system, a single-carrier frequency division multipleaccess (SC-FDMA) system, a multi-carrier frequency division multipleaccess (MC-FDMA) system, etc. CDMA may be implemented by radiotechnology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA) orCDMA2000. TDMA may be implemented by radio technology such as globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service(GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) (i.e., GERAN), etc.OFDMA may be implemented by radio technology such as institute ofelectrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16(WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, evolved-UTRA (E-UTRA), etc. UTRA is part ofuniversal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) and 3rd generationpartnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) is part of E-UMTSusing E-UTRA. 3GPP LTE adopts OFDMA on downlink (DL) and adopts SC-FDMAon uplink (UL). LTE-advanced (LTE-A) is an evolved version of 3GPP LTE.

For convenience of description, description will be given under theassumption that the present disclosure is applied to LTE and/or new RAT(NR). However, the technical features of the present disclosure are notlimited thereto. For example, although the following detaileddescription is given based on mobile communication systems correspondingto 3GPP LTE/NR systems, the mobile communication systems are applicableto other arbitrary mobile communication systems except for matters thatare specific to the 3GPP LTE/NR system.

For terms and techniques that are not described in detail among termsand techniques used in the present disclosure, reference may be made to3GPP LTE standard specifications, for example, 3GPP TS 36.211, 3GPP TS36.212, 3GPP TS 36.213, 3GPP TS 36.321, 3GPP TS 36.300, 3GPP TS 36.331,etc. and 3GPP NR standard specifications, for example, 3GPP TS 38.211,3GPP TS 38.212, 3GPP TS 38.213, 3GPP TS 38.214, 3GPP TS 38.300, 3GPP TS38.331, etc.

In examples of the present disclosure described later, if a device“assumes” something, this may mean that a channel transmission entitytransmits a channel in compliance with the corresponding “assumption”.This also may mean that a channel reception entity receives or decodesthe channel in the form of conforming to the “assumption” on the premisethat the channel has been transmitted in compliance with the“assumption”.

In the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) may be fixed or mobile.Each of various devices that transmit and/or receive user data and/orcontrol information by communicating with a base station (BS) may be theUE. The term UE may be referred to as terminal equipment, mobile station(MS), mobile terminal (MT), user terminal (UT), subscriber station (SS),wireless device, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem,handheld device, etc. In the present disclosure, a BS refers to a fixedstation that communicates with a UE and/or another BS and exchanges dataand control information with a UE and another BS. The term BS may bereferred to as advanced base station (ABS), Node-B (NB), evolved Node-B(eNB), base transceiver system (BTS), access point (AP), processingserver (PS), etc. Particularly, a BS of a universal terrestrial radioaccess (UTRAN) is referred to as an NB, a BS of an evolved-UTRAN(E-UTRAN) is referred to as an eNB, and a BS of new radio accesstechnology network is referred to as a gNB. Hereinbelow, for convenienceof description, the NB, eNB, or gNB will be referred to as a BSregardless of the type or version of communication technology.

In the present disclosure, a node refers to a fixed point capable oftransmitting/receiving a radio signal to/from a UE by communication withthe UE. Various types of BSs may be used as nodes regardless of thenames thereof. For example, a BS, NB, eNB, pico-cell eNB (PeNB), homeeNB (HeNB), relay, repeater, etc. may be a node. Furthermore, a node maynot be a BS. For example, a radio remote head (RRH) or a radio remoteunit (RRU) may be a node. Generally, the RRH and RRU have power levelslower than that of the BS. Since the RRH or RRU (hereinafter, RRH/RRU)is connected to the BS through a dedicated line such as an optical cablein general, cooperative communication according to the RRH/RRU and theBS may be smoothly performed relative to cooperative communicationaccording to BSs connected through a wireless link. At least one antennais installed per node. An antenna may refer to a physical antenna portor refer to a virtual antenna or an antenna group. The node may also becalled a point.

In the present disclosure, a cell refers to a specific geographical areain which one or more nodes provide communication services. Accordingly,in the present disclosure, communication with a specific cell may meancommunication with a BS or a node providing communication services tothe specific cell. A DL/UL signal of the specific cell refers to a DL/ULsignal from/to the BS or the node providing communication services tothe specific cell. A cell providing UL/DL communication services to a UEis especially called a serving cell. Furthermore, channel status/qualityof the specific cell refers to channel status/quality of a channel or acommunication link generated between the BS or the node providingcommunication services to the specific cell and the UE. In 3GPP-basedcommunication systems, the UE may measure a DL channel state from aspecific node using cell-specific reference signal(s) (CRS(s))transmitted on a CRS resource and/or channel state information referencesignal(s) (CSI-RS(s)) transmitted on a CSI-RS resource, allocated to thespecific node by antenna port(s) of the specific node.

A 3GPP-based communication system uses the concept of a cell in order tomanage radio resources, and a cell related with the radio resources isdistinguished from a cell of a geographic area.

The “cell” of the geographic area may be understood as coverage withinwhich a node may provide services using a carrier, and the “cell” of theradio resources is associated with bandwidth (BW), which is a frequencyrange configured by the carrier. Since DL coverage, which is a rangewithin which the node is capable of transmitting a valid signal, and ULcoverage, which is a range within which the node is capable of receivingthe valid signal from the UE, depend upon a carrier carrying the signal,coverage of the node may also be associated with coverage of the “cell”of radio resources used by the node. Accordingly, the term “cell” may beused to indicate service coverage by the node sometimes, radio resourcesat other times, or a range that a signal using the radio resources mayreach with valid strength at other times.

In 3GPP communication standards, the concept of the cell is used inorder to manage radio resources. The “cell” associated with the radioresources is defined by a combination of DL resources and UL resources,that is, a combination of a DL component carrier (CC) and a UL CC. Thecell may be configured by the DL resources only or by the combination ofthe DL resources and the UL resources. If carrier aggregation issupported, linkage between a carrier frequency of the DL resources (orDL CC) and a carrier frequency of the UL resources (or UL CC) may beindicated by system information. For example, the combination of the DLresources and the UL resources may be indicated by system informationblock type 2 (SIB2) linkage. In this case, the carrier frequency may beequal to or different from a center frequency of each cell or CC. Whencarrier aggregation (CA) is configured, the UE has only one radioresource control (RRC) connection with a network. During RRC connectionestablishment/re-establishment/handover, one serving cell providesnon-access stratum (NAS) mobility information. During RRC connectionre-establishment/handover, one serving cell provides security input.This cell is referred to as a primary cell (Pcell). The Pcell refers toa cell operating on a primary frequency on which the UE performs aninitial connection establishment procedure or initiates a connectionre-establishment procedure. According to UE capability, secondary cells(Scells) may be configured to form a set of serving cells together withthe Pcell. The Scell may be configured after completion of RRCconnection establishment and used to provide additional radio resourcesin addition to resources of a specific cell (SpCell). A carriercorresponding to the Pcell on DL is referred to as a downlink primary CC(DL PCC), and a carrier corresponding to the Pcell on UL is referred toas an uplink primary CC (UL PCC). A carrier corresponding to the Scellon DL is referred to as a downlink secondary CC (DL SCC), and a carriercorresponding to the Scell on UL is referred to as an uplink secondaryCC (UL SCC).

For dual connectivity (DC) operation, the term SpCell refers to thePcell of a master cell group (MCG) or the Pcell of a secondary cellgroup (SCG). The SpCell supports PUCCH transmission and contention-basedrandom access and is always activated. The MCG is a group of servicecells associated with a master node (e.g., BS) and includes the SpCell(Pcell) and optionally one or more Scells. For a UE configured with DC,the SCG is a subset of serving cells associated with a secondary nodeand includes a PSCell and 0 or more Scells. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTEDstate, not configured with CA or DC, only one serving cell includingonly the Pcell is present. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED state, configuredwith CA or DC, the term serving cells refers to a set of cells includingSpCell(s) and all Scell(s). In DC, two medium access control (MAC)entities, i.e., one MAC entity for the MCG and one MAC entity for theSCG, are configured for the UE.

A UE with which CA is configured and DC is not configured may beconfigured with a Pcell PUCCH group, which includes the Pcell and 0 ormore Scells, and an Scell PUCCH group, which includes only Scell(s). Forthe Scells, an Scell on which a PUCCH associated with the correspondingcell is transmitted (hereinafter, PUCCH cell) may be configured. AnScell indicated as the PUCCH Scell belongs to the Scell PUCCH group andPUCCH transmission of related UCI is performed on the PUCCH Scell. AnScell, which is not indicated as the PUCCH Scell or in which a cellindicated for PUCCH transmission is a Pcell, belongs to the Pcell PUCCHgroup and PUCCH transmission of related UCI is performed on the Pcell.

In a wireless communication system, the UE receives information on DLfrom the BS and the UE transmits information on UL to the BS. Theinformation that the BS and UE transmit and/or receive includes data anda variety of control information and there are various physical channelsaccording to types/usage of the information that the UE and the BStransmit and/or receive.

The 3GPP-based communication standards define DL physical channelscorresponding to resource elements carrying information originating froma higher layer and DL physical signals corresponding to resourceelements which are used by the physical layer but do not carry theinformation originating from the higher layer. For example, a physicaldownlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), aphysical multicast channel (PMCH), a physical control format indicatorchannel (PCFICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc. aredefined as the DL physical channels, and a reference signal (RS) and asynchronization signal (SS) are defined as the DL physical signals. TheRS, which is also referred to as a pilot, represents a signal with apredefined special waveform known to both the BS and the UE. Forexample, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a channel stateinformation RS (CSI-RS), etc. are defined as DL RSs. The 3GPP-basedcommunication standards define UL physical channels corresponding toresource elements carrying information originating from the higher layerand UL physical signals corresponding to resource elements which areused by the physical layer but do not carry the information originatingfrom the higher layer. For example, a physical uplink shared channel(PUSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and a physicalrandom access channel (PRACH) are defined as the UL physical channels,and a DMRS for a UL control/data signal, a sounding reference signal(SRS) used for UL channel measurement, etc. are defined.

In the present disclosure, the PDCCH refers to a set of time-frequencyresources (e.g., resource elements) that carry downlink controlinformation (DCI), and the PDSCH refers to a set of time-frequencyresources that carry DL data. The PUCCH, PUSCH, and PRACH refer to a setof time-frequency resources that carry uplink control information (UCI),UL data, and random access signals, respectively. In the followingdescription, the meaning of “The UE transmits/receives thePUCCH/PUSCH/PRACH” is that the UE transmits/receives the UCI/ULdata/random access signals on or through the PUSCH/PUCCH/PRACH,respectively. In addition, the meaning of “the BS transmits/receives thePBCH/PDCCH/PDSCH” is that the BS transmits the broadcast information/DLdata/DCI on or through a PBCH/PDCCH/PDSCH, respectively.

As more and more communication devices have required greatercommunication capacity, there has been a need for eMBB communicationrelative to legacy radio access technology (RAT). In addition, massiveMTC for providing various services at any time and anywhere byconnecting a plurality of devices and objects to each other is one mainissue to be considered in next-generation communication. Further,communication system design considering services/UEs sensitive toreliability and latency is also under discussion. The introduction ofnext-generation RAT is being discussed in consideration of eMBBcommunication, massive MTC, ultra-reliable and low-latency communication(URLLC), and the like. Currently, in 3GPP, a study on thenext-generation mobile communication systems after EPC is beingconducted. In the present disclosure, for convenience, the correspondingtechnology is referred to a new RAT (NR) or fifth-generation (5G) RAT,and a system using NR or supporting NR is referred to as an NR system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication system 1 to whichimplementations of the present disclosure are applied. Referring to FIG.1 , the communication system 1 applied to the present disclosureincludes wireless devices, BSs, and a network. Here, the wirelessdevices represent devices performing communication using RAT (e.g., 5GNR or LTE (e.g., E-UTRA)) and may be referred to ascommunication/radio/5G devices. The wireless devices may include,without being limited to, a robot 100 a, vehicles 100 b-1 and 100 b-2,an extended reality (XR) device 100 c, a hand-held device 100 d, a homeappliance 100 e, an Internet of Things (IoT) device 100 f, and anartificial intelligence (AI) device/server 400. For example, thevehicles may include a vehicle having a wireless communication function,an autonomous driving vehicle, and a vehicle capable of performingvehicle-to-vehicle communication. Here, the vehicles may include anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone). The XR device may includean augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR)/mixed reality (MR) deviceand may be implemented in the form of a head-mounted device (HMD), ahead-up display (HUD) mounted in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone,a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance device, a digitalsignage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. The hand-held device may include asmartphone, a smartpad, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch orsmartglasses), and a computer (e.g., a notebook). The home appliance mayinclude a TV, a refrigerator, and a washing machine. The IoT device mayinclude a sensor and a smartmeter. For example, the BSs and the networkmay also be implemented as wireless devices and a specific wirelessdevice 200 a may operate as a BS/network node with respect to anotherwireless device.

The wireless devices 100 a to 100 f may be connected to a network 300via BSs 200. AI technology may be applied to the wireless devices 100 ato 100 f and the wireless devices 100 a to 100 f may be connected to theAI server 400 via the network 300. The network 300 may be configuredusing a 3G network, a 4G (e.g., LTE) network, or a 5G (e.g., NR)network. Although the wireless devices 100 a to 100 f may communicatewith each other through the BSs 200/network 300, the wireless devices100 a to 100 f may perform direct communication (e.g., sidelinkcommunication) with each other without passing through the BSs/network.For example, the vehicles 100 b-1 and 100 b-2 may perform directcommunication (e.g. vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)/Vehicle-to-everything (V2X)communication). The IoT device (e.g., a sensor) may perform directcommunication with other IoT devices (e.g., sensors) or other wirelessdevices 100 a to 100 f.

Wireless communication/connections 150 a and 150 b may be establishedbetween the wireless devices 100 a to 100 f and the BSs 200 and betweenthe wireless devices 100 a to 100 f). Here, the wirelesscommunication/connections such as UL/DL communication 150 a and sidelinkcommunication 150 b (or, device-to-device (D2D) communication) may beestablished by various RATs (e.g., 5G NR). The wireless devices and theBSs/wireless devices may transmit/receive radio signals to/from eachother through the wireless communication/connections 150 a and 150 b. Tothis end, at least a part of various configuration informationconfiguring processes, various signal processing processes (e.g.,channel encoding/decoding, modulation/demodulation, and resourcemapping/demapping), and resource allocating processes, fortransmitting/receiving radio signals, may be performed based on thevarious proposals of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of communication devicescapable of performing a method according to the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 2 , a first wireless device 100 and a second wirelessdevice 200 may transmit and/or receive radio signals through a varietyof RATs (e.g., LTE and NR). Here, {the first wireless device 100 and thesecond wireless device 200} may correspond to {the wireless device 100 xand the BS 200} and/or {the wireless device 100 x and the wirelessdevice 100 x} of FIG. 1 .

The first wireless device 100 may include one or more processors 102 andone or more memories 104 and additionally further include one or moretransceivers 106 and/or one or more antennas 108. The processor(s) 102may control the memory(s) 104 and/or the transceiver(s) 106 and may beconfigured to implement the above-described/proposed functions,procedures, and/or methods. For example, the processor(s) 102 mayprocess information within the memory(s) 104 to generate firstinformation/signals and then transmit radio signals including the firstinformation/signals through the transceiver(s) 106. The processor(s) 102may receive radio signals including second information/signals throughthe transceiver(s) 106 and then store information obtained by processingthe second information/signals in the memory(s) 104. The memory(s) 104may be connected to the processor(s) 102 and may store a variety ofinformation related to operations of the processor(s) 102. For example,the memory(s) 104 may perform a part or all of processes controlled bythe processor(s) 102 or store software code including instructions forperforming the above-described/proposed procedures and/or methods. Here,the processor(s) 102 and the memory(s) 104 may be a part of acommunication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE orNR). The transceiver(s) 106 may be connected to the processor(s) 102 andtransmit and/or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 108.Each of the transceiver(s) 106 may include a transmitter and/or areceiver. The transceiver(s) 106 is used interchangeably with radiofrequency (RF) unit(s). In the present disclosure, the wireless devicemay represent the communication modem/circuit/chip.

The second wireless device 200 may include one or more processors 202and one or more memories 204 and additionally further include one ormore transceivers 206 and/or one or more antennas 208. The processor(s)202 may control the memory(s) 204 and/or the transceiver(s) 206 and maybe configured to implement the above-described/proposed functions,procedures, and/or methods. For example, the processor(s) 202 mayprocess information within the memory(s) 204 to generate thirdinformation/signals and then transmit radio signals including the thirdinformation/signals through the transceiver(s) 206. The processor(s) 202may receive radio signals including fourth information/signals throughthe transceiver(s) 106 and then store information obtained by processingthe fourth information/signals in the memory(s) 204. The memory(s) 204may be connected to the processor(s) 202 and may store a variety ofinformation related to operations of the processor(s) 202. For example,the memory(s) 204 may perform a part or all of processes controlled bythe processor(s) 202 or store software code including instructions forperforming the above-described/proposed procedures and/or methods. Here,the processor(s) 202 and the memory(s) 204 may be a part of acommunication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE orNR). The transceiver(s) 206 may be connected to the processor(s) 202 andtransmit and/or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 208.Each of the transceiver(s) 206 may include a transmitter and/or areceiver. The transceiver(s) 206 is used interchangeably with RFunit(s). In the present disclosure, the wireless device may representthe communication modem/circuit/chip.

Hereinafter, hardware elements of the wireless devices 100 and 200 willbe described more specifically. One or more protocol layers may beimplemented by, without being limited to, one or more processors 102 and202. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may implementone or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as a physical (PHY)layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC)layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio resourcecontrol (RRC) layer, and a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP)layer). The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate one or moreprotocol data units (PDUs) and/or one or more service data units (SDUs)according to the functions, procedures, proposals, and/or methodsdisclosed in this document. The one or more processors 102 and 202 maygenerate messages, control information, data, or information accordingto the functions, procedures, proposals, and/or methods disclosed inthis document. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generatesignals (e.g., baseband signals) including PDUs, SDUs, messages, controlinformation, data, or information according to the functions,procedures, proposals, and/or methods disclosed in this document andprovide the generated signals to the one or more transceivers 106 and206. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may receive the signals(e.g., baseband signals) from the one or more transceivers 106 and 206and acquire the PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, orinformation according to the functions, procedures, proposals, and/ormethods disclosed in this document.

The one or more processors 102 and 202 may be referred to ascontrollers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or microcomputers. Theone or more processors 102 and 202 may be implemented by hardware,firmware, software, or a combination thereof. As an example, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digitalsignal processors (DSPs), one or more digital signal processing devices(DSPDs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), or one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) may be included in the one ormore processors 102 and 202. The functions, procedures, proposals,and/or methods disclosed in this document may be implemented usingfirmware or software, and the firmware or software may be configured toinclude the modules, procedures, or functions. Firmware or softwareconfigured to perform the functions, procedures, proposals, and/ormethods disclosed in this document may be included in the one or moreprocessors 102 and 202 or stored in the one or more memories 104 and 204so as to be driven by the one or more processors 102 and 202. Thefunctions, procedures, proposals, and/or methods disclosed in thisdocument may be implemented using firmware or software in the form ofcode, commands, and/or a set of commands.

The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected to the one or moreprocessors 102 and 202 and store various types of data, signals,messages, information, programs, code, commands, and/or instructions.The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be configured by read-onlymemories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memories (EPROMs), flash memories, hard drives,registers, cash memories, computer-readable storage media, and/orcombinations thereof. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may belocated at the interior and/or exterior of the one or more processors102 and 202. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected tothe one or more processors 102 and 202 through various technologies suchas wired or wireless connection.

The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data, controlinformation, and/or radio signals/channels, mentioned in the methodsand/or operational flowcharts of this document, to one or more otherdevices. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data,control information, and/or radio signals/channels, mentioned in thefunctions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operational flowchartsdisclosed in this document, from one or more other devices. For example,the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one ormore processors 102 and 202 and transmit and receive radio signals. Forexample, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control sothat the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data,control information, or radio signals to one or more other devices. Theone or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control so that the oneor more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data, controlinformation, or radio signals from one or more other devices. The one ormore transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one or moreantennas 108 and 208. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may beconfigured to transmit and receive user data, control information,and/or radio signals/channels, mentioned in the functions, procedures,proposals, methods, and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in thisdocument, through the one or more antennas 108 and 208. In thisdocument, the one or more antennas may be a plurality of physicalantennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports). Theone or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert received radiosignals/channels etc. from RF band signals into baseband signals inorder to process received user data, control information, radiosignals/channels, etc. using the one or more processors 102 and 202. Theone or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert the user data, controlinformation, radio signals/channels, etc. processed using the one ormore processors 102 and 202 from the base band signals into the RF bandsignals. To this end, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 mayinclude (analog) oscillators and/or filters.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a wireless device capable ofperforming implementation(s) of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 3 , wireless devices 100 and 200 may correspond to the wirelessdevices 100 and 200 of FIG. 2 and may be configured by various elements,components, units/portions, and/or modules. For example, each of thewireless devices 100 and 200 may include a communication unit 110, acontrol unit 120, a memory unit 130, and additional components 140. Thecommunication unit may include a communication circuit 112 andtransceiver(s) 114. For example, the communication circuit 112 mayinclude the one or more processors 102 and 202 and/or the one or morememories 104 and 204 of FIG. 2 . For example, the transceiver(s) 114 mayinclude the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 and/or the one or moreantennas 108 and 208 of FIG. 2 . The control unit 120 is electricallyconnected to the communication unit 110, the memory 130, and theadditional components 140 and controls overall operation of the wirelessdevices. For example, the control unit 120 may control anelectric/mechanical operation of the wireless device based onprograms/code/commands/information stored in the memory unit 130. Thecontrol unit 120 may transmit the information stored in the memory unit130 to the exterior (e.g., other communication devices) via thecommunication unit 110 through a wireless/wired interface or store, inthe memory unit 130, information received through the wireless/wiredinterface from the exterior (e.g., other communication devices) via thecommunication unit 110

The additional components 140 may be variously configured according totypes of wireless devices. For example, the additional components 140may include at least one of a power unit/battery, input/output (I/O)unit, a driving unit, and a computing unit. The wireless device may beimplemented in the form of, without being limited to, the robot (100 aof FIG. 1 ), the vehicles (100 b-1 and 100 b-2 of FIG. 1 ), the XRdevice (100 c of FIG. 1 ), the hand-held device (100 d of FIG. 1 ), thehome appliance (100 e of FIG. 1 ), the IoT device (100 f of FIG. 1 ), adigital broadcast UE, a hologram device, a public safety device, an MTCdevice, a medicine device, a fintech device (or a finance device), asecurity device, a climate/environment device, the AI server/device (400of FIG. 1 ), the BS (200 of FIG. 1 ), a network node, etc. The wirelessdevice may be used in a mobile or fixed place according to ause-case/service.

In FIG. 3 , the entirety of the various elements, components,units/portions, and/or modules in the wireless devices 100 and 200 maybe connected to each other through a wired interface or at least a partthereof may be wirelessly connected through the communication unit 110.For example, in each of the wireless devices 100 and 200, the controlunit 120 and the communication unit 110 may be connected by wire and thecontrol unit 120 and first units (e.g., 130 and 140) may be wirelesslyconnected through the communication unit 110. Each element, component,unit/portion, and/or module within the wireless devices 100 and 200 mayfurther include one or more elements. For example, the control unit 120may be configured by a set of one or more processors. As an example, thecontrol unit 120 may be configured by a set of a communication controlprocessor, an application processor, an electronic control unit (ECU), agraphical processing unit, and a memory control processor. As anotherexample, the memory 130 may be configured by a random access memory(RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM)), a flash memory,a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and/or a combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a frame structure used in a 3GPP-basedwireless communication system.

The frame structure of FIG. 4 is purely exemplary and the number ofsubframes, the number of slots, and the number of symbols, in a frame,may be variously changed. In an NR system, different OFDM numerologies(e.g., subcarrier spacings (SCSs)) may be configured for multiple cellswhich are aggregated for one UE. Accordingly, the (absolute time)duration of a time resource including the same number of symbols (e.g.,a subframe, a slot, or a transmission time interval (TTI)) may bedifferently configured for the aggregated cells. Here, the symbol mayinclude an OFDM symbol (or cyclic prefix—OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbol) and anSC-FDMA symbol (or discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)symbol). In the present disclosure, the symbol, the OFDM-based symbol,the OFDM symbol, the CP-OFDM symbol, and the DFT-s-OFDM symbol are usedinterchangeably

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the NR system, UL and DL transmissions areorganized into frames. Each frame has a duration of Tf=10 ms and isdivided into two half-frames of 5 ms each. Each half-frame includes 5subframes and a duration Tsf of a single subframe is 1 ms. Subframes arefurther divided into slots and the number of slots in a subframe dependson a subcarrier spacing. Each slot includes 14 or 12 OFDM symbols basedon a cyclic prefix. In a normal CP, each slot includes 14 OFDM symbolsand, in an extended CP, each slot includes 12 OFDM symbols. Thenumerology depends on an exponentially scalable subcarrier spacingΔf=2u*15 kHz. The table below shows the number of OFDM symbols(Nslotsymb) per slot, the number of slots (Nframe,uslot) per frame, andthe number of slots (Nsubframe,uslot) per subframe.

TABLE 1 u Nslotsymb Nframe, uslot Nsubframe, uslot 0 14 10 1 1 14 20 2 214 40 4 3 14 80 8 4 14 160 16

The table below shows the number of OFDM symbols per slot, the number ofslots per frame, and the number of slots per subframe, according to thesubcarrier spacing Δf=2u*15 kHz.

TABLE 2 u Nslotsymb Nframe, uslot Nsubframe, uslot 2 12 40 4FIG. 5 illustrates a resource grid of a slot. The slot includes multiple(e.g., 14 or 12) symbols in the time domain. For each numerology (e.g.,subcarrier spacing) and carrier, a resource grid of Nsize,ugrid,x*NRBscsubcarriers and Nsubframe,usymb OFDM symbols is defined, starting at acommon resource block (CRB) Nstart,ugrid indicated by higher layersignaling (e.g. RRC signaling), where Nsize,ugrid,x is the number ofresource blocks (RBs) in the resource grid and the subscript x is DL fordownlink and UL for uplink. NRBsc is the number of subcarriers per RB.In the 3GPP-based wireless communication system, NRBsc is typically 12.There is one resource grid for a given antenna port p, a subcarrierspacing configuration u, and a transmission link (DL or UL). The carrierbandwidth Nsize,ugrid for the subcarrier spacing configuration u isgiven to the UE by a higher layer parameter (e.g. RRC parameter). Eachelement in the resource grid for the antenna port p and the subcarrierspacing configuration u is referred to as a resource element (RE) andone complex symbol may be mapped to each RE. Each RE in the resourcegrid is uniquely identified by an index k in the frequency domain and anindex 1 representing a symbol location relative to a reference point inthe time domain. In the NR system, an RB is defined by 12 consecutivesubcarriers in the frequency domain. In the NR system, RBs areclassified into CRBs and physical resource blocks (PRBs). The CRBs arenumbered from 0 upwards in the frequency domain for the subcarrierspacing configuration u. The center of subcarrier 0 of CRB 0 for thesubcarrier spacing configuration u is equal to ‘Point A’ which serves asa common reference point for RB grids. The PRBs are defined within abandwidth part (BWP) and numbered from 0 to NsizeBWP,i−1, where i is anumber of the BWP. The relation between a PRB nPRB in a BWP i and a CRBnCRB is given by: nPRB=nCRB+NsizeBWP,i, where NsizeBWP,i is a CRB inwhich the BWP starts relative to CRB 0. The BWP includes a plurality ofconsecutive RBs in the frequency domain. A carrier may include a maximumof N (e.g., 5) BWPs. The UE may be configured to have one or more BWPson a given component carrier. Data communication is performed through anactivated BWP and only a predetermined number of BWPs (e.g., one BWP)among BWPs configured for the UE may be active on the component carrier.

The UE for which carrier aggregation is configured may be configured touse one or more cells. If the UE is configured with a plurality ofserving cells, the UE may be configured with one or multiple cellgroups. The UE may also be configured with a plurality of cell groupsassociated with different BSs. Alternatively, the UE may be configuredwith a plurality of cell groups associated with a single BS. Each cellgroup of the UE includes one or more serving cells and includes a singlePUCCH cell for which PUCCH resources are configured. The PUCCH cell maybe a Pcell or an Scell configured as the PUCCH cell among Scells of acorresponding cell group. Each serving cell of the UE belongs to one ofcell groups of the UE and does not belong to a plurality of cells.

Hereinafter, physical channels that may be used in the 3GPP-basedwireless communication system will be described in detail.

A PDCCH carries DCI. For example, the PDCCH (i.e., DCI) carriesinformation about transport format and resource allocation of a downlinkshared channel (DL-SCH), information about resource allocation of anuplink shared channel (UL-SCH), paging information about a pagingchannel (PCH), system information about the DL-SCH, information aboutresource allocation for a control message, such as a random accessresponse (RAR) transmitted on a PDSCH, of a layer (hereinafter, higherlayer) positioned higher than a physical layer among protocol stacks ofthe UE/BS, a transmit power control command, information aboutactivation/release of configured scheduling (CS), etc. The DCI includesa cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The CRC is masked/scrambled withvarious identifiers (e.g., radio network temporary identifier (RNTI))according to an owner or usage of the PDCCH. For example, if the PDCCHis for a specific UE, the CRS is masked with a UE identifier (e.g.,cell-RNTI (C-RNTI)). If the PDCCH is for a paging message, the CRC ismasked with a paging RNTI (P-RNTI). If the PDCCH is for systeminformation (e.g., system information block (SIB)), the CRC is maskedwith a system information RNTI (SI-RNTI). If the PDCCH is for a randomaccess response, the CRC is masked with a random access-RNTI (RA-RNTI).

A PDCCH is transmitted through a control resource set (CORESET). One ormore CORESETs may be configured for the UE. The CORESET consists of aset of PRBs with a duration of 1 to 3 OFDM symbols. The PRBs and aCORESET duration that constitute the CORESET may be provided to the UEthrough higher layer (e.g., RRC) signaling. A set of PDCCH candidates inthe configured CORESET(s) is monitored according to corresponding searchspace sets. In the present disclosure, monitoring implies decoding(called blind decoding) each PDCCH candidate according to monitored DCIformats. The set of the PDCCH candidates that the UE monitors is definedin terms of PDCCH search space sets. The search space sets may be commonsearch space (CSS) sets or UE-specific search space (USS) sets. EachCORESET configuration is associated with one or more search space setsand each search space set is associated with one CORESET configuration.The search space set is determined based on the following parametersprovided by the BS to the UE.

-   -   controlResourceSetId: Identifies a CORESET related to a search        space set.    -   monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset: Indicates slots for PDCCH        monitoring configured as a periodicity and an offset.    -   monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot: Indicates the first symbol(s) for        PDCCH monitoring in the slots for PDCCH monitoring.    -   nrofCandidates: Indicates the number of PDCCH candidates for        each CCE aggregation level.

A PDSCH is a physical layer UL channel for UL data transport. The PDSCHcarries DL data (e.g., DL-SCH transport block) and is subjected tomodulation such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 16 quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), 64 QAM, 256 QAM, etc. A codeword isgenerated by encoding a transport block (TB). The PDSCH may carry amaximum of two codewords. Scrambling and modulation mapping per codewordmay be performed and modulation symbols generated from each codeword maybe mapped to one or more layers. Each layer is mapped to a radioresource together with a DMRS and generated as an OFDM symbol signal.Then, the OFDM symbol signal is transmitted through a correspondingantenna port.

A PUCCH means a physical layer UL channel for UCI transmission. ThePUCCH carries UCI. The UCI includes the following information.

-   -   Scheduling request (SR): Information that is used to request a        UL-SCH resource.    -   Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)—acknowledgment (ACK): A        response to a DL data packet (e.g., codeword) on the PDSCH.        HARQ-ACK indicates whether the DL data packet has been        successfully received by a communication device. In response to        a single codeword, 1-bit HARQ-ACK may be transmitted. In        response to two codewords, 2-bit HARQ-ACK may be transmitted.        The HARQ-ACK response includes positive ACK (simply, ACK),        negative ACK (NACK), discontinuous transmission (DTX), or        NACK/DTX. Here, the term HARQ-ACK is used interchangeably with        HARQ ACK/NACK, ACK/NACK, or A/N.    -   Channel state information (CSI): Feedback information about a DL        channel. The CSI may include channel quality information (CQI),        a rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a        CSI-RS resource indicator (CSI), an SS/PBCH resource block        indicator (SSBRI), and a layer indicator (L1). The CSI may be        classified into CSI part 1 and CSI part 2 according to UCI type        included in the CSI. For example, the CRI, RI, and/or the CQI        for the first codeword may be included in CSI part 1, and LI,        PMI, and/or the CQI for the second codeword may be included in        CSI part 2.

In the present disclosure, for convenience, PUCCH resourcesconfigured/indicated for/to the UE by the BS for HARQ-ACK, SR, and CSItransmission are referred to as an HARQ-ACK PUCCH resource, an SR PUCCHresource, and a CSI PUCCH resource, respectively.

PUCCH formats may be defined as follows according to UCI payload sizesand/or transmission lengths (e.g., the number of symbols included inPUCCH resources). In regard to the PUCCH formats, reference may also bemade to Table 3,

(0) PUCCH Format 0 (PF0 or F0)

-   -   Supported UCI payload size: up to K bits (e.g., K=2)    -   Number of OFDM symbols constituting a single PUCCH: 1 to X        symbols (e.g., X=2)    -   Transmission structure: Only a UCI signal without a DMRS is        included in PUCCH format 0. The UE transmits a UCI state by        selecting and transmitting one of a plurality of sequences. For        example, the UE transmits specific UCI to the BS by transmitting        one of a plurality of sequences through a PUCCH, which is PUCCH        format 0. The UE transmits the PUCCH, which is PUCCH format 0,        in PUCCH resources for a corresponding SR configuration only        upon transmitting a positive SR.    -   Configuration for PUCCH format 0 includes the following        parameters for a corresponding PUCCH resource: an index for        initial cyclic shift, the number of symbols for PUCCH        transmission, and/or the first symbol for PUCCH transmission.

(1) PUCCH Format 1 (PF1 or F1)

-   -   Supported UCI payload size: up to K bits (e.g., K=2)    -   Number of OFDM symbols constituting a single PUCCH: Y to Z        symbols (e.g., Y=4 and Z=14)    -   Transmission structure: The DMRS and UCI are configured/mapped        in TDM in/to different OFDM symbols. In other words, the DMRS is        transmitted in symbols in which modulation symbols are not        transmitted and the UCI is represented as the product between a        specific sequence (e.g., orthogonal cover code (OCC)) and a        modulation (e.g., QPSK) symbol. Code division multiplexing (CDM)        is supported between a plurality of PUCCH resources (conforming        to PUCCH format 1) (within the same RB) by applying cyclic        shifts (CSs)/OCCs to both the UCI and the DMRS. PUCCH format 1        carries the UCI of up to 2 bits and the modulation symbols are        spread by the OCC (differently configured depending on whether        frequency hopping is performed) in the time domain.    -   Configuration for PUCCH format 1 includes the following        parameters for a corresponding PUCCH resource: an index for        initial cyclic shift, the number of symbols for PUCCH        transmission, the first symbol for PUCCH transmission, and/or an        index for the OCC.

(2) PUCCH Format 2 (PF2 or F2)

-   -   Supported UCI payload size: more than K bits (e.g., K=2)    -   Number of OFDM symbols constituting a single PUCCH: 1 to X        symbols (e.g., X=2)    -   Transmission structure: The DMRS and UCI are configured/mapped        using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) within the same        symbol. The UE transmits the UCI by applying only IFFT without        DFT to encoded UCI bits. PUCCH format 2 carries UCI of a larger        bit size than K bits and modulation symbols are subjected to FDM        with the DMRS, for transmission. For example, the DMRS is        located in symbol indexes #1, #4, #7, and #10 within a given RB        with the density of ⅓. A pseudo noise (PN) sequence is used for        a DMRS sequence. Frequency hopping may be activated for 2-symbol        PUCCH format 2.    -   Configuration for PUCCH format 2 includes the following        parameters for a corresponding PUCCH resource: the number of        PRBs, the number of symbols for PUCCH transmission, and/or the        first symbol for PUCCH transmission.

(3) PUCCH Format 3 (PF3 or F3)

-   -   Supported UCI payload size: more than K bits (e.g., K=2)    -   Number of OFDM symbols constituting a single PUCCH: Y to Z        symbols (e.g., Y=4 and Z=14)    -   Transmission structure: The DMRS and UCI are configured/mapped        in TDM for/to different OFDM symbols. The UE transmits the UCI        by applying DFT to encoded UCI bits. PUCCH format 3 does not        support UE multiplexing for the same time-frequency resource        (e.g., same PRB).

Configuration for PUCCH format 3 includes the following parameters for acorresponding PUCCH resource: the number of PRBs, the number of symbolsfor PUCCH transmission, and/or the first symbol for PUCCH transmission.

(4) PUCCH Format 4 (PF4 or F4)

-   -   Supported UCI payload size: more than K bits (e.g., K=2)    -   Number of OFDM symbols constituting a single PUCCH: Y to Z        symbols (e.g., Y=4 and Z=14)    -   Transmission structure: The DMRS and UCI are configured/mapped        in TDM for/to different OFDM symbols. PUCCH format 4 may        multiplex up to 4 UEs in the same PRB, by applying an OCC at the        front end of DFT and applying a CS (or interleaved FDM (IFDM)        mapping) to the DMRS. In other words, modulation symbols of the        UCI are subjected to TDM with the DMRS, for transmission.    -   Configuration for PUCCH format 4 includes the following        parameters for a corresponding PUCCH resource: the number of        symbols for PUCCH transmission, length for the OCC, an index for        the OCC, and the first symbol for PUCCH transmission.

The table below shows the PUCCH formats. The PUCCH formats may bedivided into short PUCCH formats (formats 0 and 2) and long PUCCHformats (formats 1, 3, and 4) according to PUCCH transmission length.

TABLE 3 Length in OFDM PUCCH symbols Number format NPUCCHsymb of bitsUsage Etc. 0 1-2  =<2  HARQ, SR Sequence selection 1 4-14 =<2  HARQ,[SR] Sequence modulation 2 1-2  >2 HARQ, CSI, CP-OFDM [SR] 3 4-14 >2HARQ, CSI, DFT-s-OFDM(no UE [SR] multiplexing) 4 4-14 >2 HARQ, CSI,DFT-s-OFDM(Pre [SR] DFT OCC)

A PUCCH resource may be determined according to a UCI type (e.g., A/N,SR, or CSI). A PUCCH resource used for UCI transmission may bedetermined based on a UCI (payload) size. For example, the BS mayconfigure a plurality of PUCCH resource sets for the UE, and the UE mayselect a specific PUCCH resource set corresponding to a specific rangeaccording to the range of the UCI (payload) size (e.g., numbers of UCIbits). For example, the UE may select one of the following PUCCHresource sets according to the number of UCI bits, NUCI.-PUCCH resourceset #0, if the number of UCI bits=<2

-   -   PUCCH resource set #1, if 2<the number of UCI bits=<N1    -   . . .    -   PUCCH resource set #(K−1), if NK−2<the number of UCI bits=<NK−1

Here, K represents the number of PUCCH resource sets (K>1) and Nirepresents a maximum number of UCI bits supported by PUCCH resource set#i. For example, PUCCH resource set #1 may include resources of PUCCHformats 0 to 1, and the other PUCCH resource sets may include resourcesof PUCCH formats 2 to 4 (see Table 3).

Configuration for each PUCCH resource includes a PUCCH resource index, astart PRB index, and configuration for one of PUCCH format 0 to PUCCHformat 4. The UE is configured with a code rate for multiplexingHARQ-ACK, SR, and CSI report(s) within PUCCH transmission using PUCCHformat 2, PUCCH format 3, or PUCCH format 4, by the BS through a higherlayer parameter maxCodeRate. The higher layer parameter maxCodeRate isused to determine how to feed back the UCI on PUCCH resources for PUCCHformat 2, 3, or 4.

If the UCI type is SR and CSI, a PUCCH resource to be used for UCItransmission in a PUCCH resource set may be configured for the UEthrough higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). If the UCI type isHARQ-ACK for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) PDSCH, the PUCCHresource to be used for UCI transmission in the PUCCH resource set maybe configured for the UE through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRCsignaling). On the other hand, if the UCI type is HARQ-ACK for a PDSCHscheduled by DCI, the PUCCH resource to be used for UCI transmission inthe PUCCH resource set may be scheduled by the DCI.

In the case of DCI-based PUCCH resource scheduling, the BS may transmitthe DCI to the UE on a PDCCH and indicate a PUCCH resource to be usedfor UCI transmission in a specific PUCCH resource set by an ACK/NACKresource indicator (ARI) in the DCI. The ARI may be used to indicate aPUCCH resource for ACK/NACK transmission and also be referred to as aPUCCH resource indicator (PRI). Here, the DCI may be used for PDSCHscheduling and the UCI may include HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH. The BS mayconfigure a PUCCH resource set including a larger number of PUCCHresources than states representable by the ARI by (UE-specific) higherlayer (e.g., RRC) signaling for the UE. The ARI may indicate a PUCCHresource subset of the PUCCH resource set and which PUCCH resource inthe indicated PUCCH resource subset is to be used may be determinedaccording to an implicit rule based on transmission resource informationabout the PDCCH (e.g., the starting CCE index of the PDCCH).

The PUSCH delivers UL data (e.g., UL-SCH TB) and/or UCI and istransmitted based on a CP-OFDM waveform or a DFT-s-OFDM waveform. Whenthe PUSCH is transmitted based on the DFT-s-OFDM waveform, the UEtransmits the PUSCH by applying transform precoding. For example, whentransform precoding is impossible (e.g., transform precoding isdisabled), the UE transmits the PUSCH based on the CP-OFDM waveform, andwhen transform precoding is possible (e.g., transform precoding isenabled), the UE transmits the PUSCH based on the CP-OFDM waveform orthe DFT-s-OFDM waveform. The PUSCH transmission may be scheduleddynamically by a UL grant in DCI or semi-statically by higher-layer(e.g., RRC) signaling (and/or layer 1 (L1) signaling (e.g., PDCCH)). Aresource assignment scheduled semi-statically by higher-layer (e.g.,RRC) signaling (and/or L1 (i.e., PHY) signaling) is referred to as aconfigured grant. The PUSCH transmission may be performed in acodebook-based or non-codebook-based manner.

FIG. 6 illustrates an HARQ-ACK transmission/reception procedure.

The DCI (e.g., DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 1_1) carried by the PDCCHfor scheduling the PDSCH may include the following information.

-   -   FDRA: FDRA indicates an RB set allocated to the PDSCH.    -   TDRA: TDRA indicates a DL assignment-to-PDSCH slot offset K0,        the start position (e.g., symbol index S) and length (e.g., the        number of symbols, L) of the PDSCH in a slot, and the PDSCH        mapping type. PDSCH mapping Type A or PDSCH mapping Type B may        be indicated by TDRA. For PDSCH mapping Type A, the DMRS is        located in the third symbol (symbol #2) or fourth symbol (symbol        #3) in a slot. For PDSCH mapping Type B, the DMRS is allocated        in the first symbol allocated for the PDSCH.    -   PDSCH-to-HARQ feedback timing indicator: This indicator        indicates K1.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the UE may detect a PDCCH in slot #n. After the UEreceives a PDSCH in slot #(n+K0) according to scheduling informationreceived on the PDCCH, the UE may transmit UCI in slot #(n+K1) on aPUCCH. The UCI includes an HARQ-ACK response for the PDSCH. If the PDSCHis configured to transmit a maximum of one TB, an HARQ-ACK response mayconsist of one bit. If the PDSCH is configured to transmit a maximum of2 TBs, the HARQ-ACK response may consist of 2 bits when spatial bundlingis not configured and one bit when spatial bundling is configured. Whenan HARQ-ACK transmission timing for a plurality of PDSCHs is designatedas slot #(n+K1), UCI transmitted in slot #(n+K1) includes an HARQ-ACKresponse for the plural PDSCHs.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary PUSCH transmission/reception process.DCI (e.g., DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 0_1) carried on a PDCCH thatschedules a PDSCH may include the following information.

-   -   Frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA): Indicates an RB set        allocated to the PDSCH.    -   Time domain resource assignment (TDRA): Indicates a UL        grant-to-PUSCH slot offset K2, the starting position (e.g., a        symbol index S) and length (e.g., the number of symbols, L) of a        PUSCH in a slot, and a PUSCH mapping type. The starting symbol S        and the length L may be indicated by a start and length        indicator (SLIV), or separately. PUSCH mapping type A or PUSCH        mapping type B may be indicated by the TDRA. In PUSCH mapping        type A, the DMRS is located in the third symbol (symbol #2) or        the fourth symbol (symbol #3) of a slot. In PUSCH mapping type        B, the DMRS is located in the first symbol allocated to the        PUSCH.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the UE may detect a PDCCH in slot #n. Then, the UEmay transmit a PUSCH in slot #(n+K2) according to scheduling informationreceived on the PDCCH in slot #n. The PUSCH includes a UL-SCH TB.

In the NR system, a method of implementing a plurality of logicalnetworks in a single physical network is considered. The logicalnetworks need to support services with various requirements (e.g., eMBB,mMTC, URLLC, etc.). Accordingly, a physical layer of NR is designed tosupport a flexible transmission structure in consideration of thevarious service requirements. As an example, the physical layer of NRmay change, if necessary, an OFDM symbol length (OFDM symbol duration)and a subcarrier spacing (SCS) (hereinafter, OFDM numerology).Transmission resources of physical channels may also be changed in apredetermined range (in units of symbols). For example, in NR, a PUCCH(resource) and a PUSCH (resource) may be configured to flexibly have atransmission length/transmission start timing within a predeterminedrange.

In a wireless communication system including the BS and the UE, when theUE transmits UCI on a PUCCH, a PUCCH resource may overlap with anotherPUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource on the time axis. For example, (1) aPUCCH (resource) and a PUCCH (resource) (for different UCI transmission)or (2) a PUCCH (resource) and a PUSCH (resource) may overlap on the timeaxis (in the same slot) in terms of the same UE. The UE may not supportPUCCH-PUCCH simultaneous transmission or PUCCH-PUSCH simultaneoustransmission (according to restrictions on UE capability or according toconfiguration information received from the BS). In addition, the UE maynot be permitted to simultaneously transmit a plurality UL channelswithin a predetermined time range.

In the present disclosure, methods of handling a plurality of ULchannels when the UL channels that the UE should transmit are present ina predetermined time range are described. In the present disclosure,methods of handling UCI and/or data that should have beentransmitted/received on the UL channels are also described. Thefollowing terms are used in a description of examples in the presentdisclosure.

-   -   UCI: UCI implies control information that the UE transmits on        UL. The UCI includes multiple types of control information        (i.e., UCI types). For example, the UCI may include HARQ-ACK        (shortly, A/N or AN), SR, and/or CSI.    -   UCI multiplexing: UCI multiplexing may mean an operation of        transmitting different UCIs (UCI types) on a common physical UL        channel (e.g., a PUCCH or PUSCH). UCI multiplexing may include        multiplexing of different UCIs (UCI types). For convenience, the        multiplexed UCI is referred to as MUX UCI. Further, UCI        multiplexing may include an operation performed in relation to        MUX UCI. For example, UCI multiplexing may include a process of        determining a UL channel resource to transmit MUX UCI.    -   UCI/data multiplexing: UCI/data multiplexing may mean an        operation of transmitting UCI and data on a common physical UL        channel (e.g., PUSCH). UCI/data multiplexing may include an        operation of multiplexing UCI with data. For convenience, the        multiplexed UCI is referred to as MUX UCI/data. Further,        UCI/data multiplexing may include an operation performed in        relation to MUX UCI/data. For example, UCI/data multiplexing may        include a process of determining a UL channel resource to        transmit MUX UCI/data.    -   Slot: Slot means a basic time unit or time interval for data        scheduling. A slot includes a plurality of symbols. Here, a        symbol may be an OFDM-based symbol (e.g., a CP-OFDM symbol or        DFT-s-OFDM symbol).    -   Overlapping UL channel resource(s): Overlapping UL channel        resource(s) mean UL channel (e.g., PUCCH or PUSCH) resource(s)        overlapping (at least partially) with each other on the time        axis within a predetermined time period (e.g., slot).        Overlapping UL channel resource(s) may imply UL channel        resource(s) before UCI multiplexing is performed. In the present        disclosure, (at least partially) overlapping UL channels on the        time axis are referred to as colliding UL channels in time or in        the time domain.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of multiplexing UCI with a PUSCH. WhenPUCCH resource(s) and a PUSCH resource overlap in a slot and PUCCH-PUSCHsimultaneous transmission is not configured, UCI may be transmitted onthe PUSCH as illustrated. Transmission of the UCI on the PUSCH isreferred to as UCI piggyback or PUSCH piggyback. Particularly, FIG. 8illustrates the case in which HARQ-ACK and CSI are carried on the PUSCHresource.

When a plurality of UL channels overlaps within a predetermined timeinterval, a method for the UE to process the UL channels needs to bespecified in order to allow the BS to correctly receive the ULchannel(s). Hereinafter, methods of handling collision between ULchannels will be described.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process for a UE with overlappingPUCCHs in a single slot to handle collision between UL channels.

To transmit UCI, the UE may determine PUCCH resources for each UCI. EachPUCCH resource may be defined by a start symbol and a transmissioninterval. When PUCCH resources for PUCCH transmission overlap in asingle slot, the UE may perform UCI multiplexing based on a PUCCHresource with the earliest start symbol. For example, the UE maydetermine overlapping PUCCH resource(s) (in time) (hereinafter, PUCCHresource(s) B) based on a PUCCH resource with the earliest start symbol(hereinafter, PUCCH resource A) in a slot (S901). The UE may apply a UCImultiplexing rule to the PUCCH resource A and the PUCCH resource(s) B.For example, based on UCI A of the PUCCH resource A and UCI B of thePUCCH resource(s) B, MUX UCI including all or part of the UCI A and theUCI B may be obtained according to the UCI multiplexing rule. Tomultiplex UCI associated with the PUCCH resource A and the PUCCHresource(s) B, the UE may determine a single PUCCH resource(hereinafter, MUX PUCCH resource) (S903). For example, the UE determinesa PUCCH resource set corresponding to a payload size of the MUX UCI(hereinafter, PUCCH resource set X) among PUCCH resource sets configuredor available for the UE and determines one of PUCCH resources belongingto the PUCCH resource set X as a MUX PUCCH resource. For example, the UEmay determine one of the PUCCH resources belonging to the PUCCH resourceset X as the MUX PUCCH resource, using a PUCCH resource indicator fieldin the last DCI among DCIs having a PDSCH-to-HARQ feedback timingindicator field that indicates the same slot for PUCCH transmission. TheUE may determine the total number of PRBs of the MUX PUCCH resourcebased on the payload size of the MUX UCI and a maximum code rate for aPUCCH format of the MUX PUCCH resource. If the MUX PUCCH resourceoverlaps with other PUCCH resources (except for the PUCCH resource A andthe PUCCH resource(s) B), the UE may perform the above-describedoperation again based on the MUX PUCCH resource (or a PUCCH resourcehaving the earliest start symbol among the other PUCCH resourcesincluding the MUX PUCCH resource).

FIG. 10 illustrates cases for performing UCI multiplexing based on FIG.9 . Referring to FIG. 10 , when a plurality of PUCCH resources overlapin a slot, UCI multiplexing may be performed based on the earliest PUCCHresource A (e.g., PUCCH resource A with the earliest start symbol). InFIG. 10 , Case 1 and Case 2 show that the first PUCCH resource overlapswith another PUCCH resource. In this case, the process of FIG. 9 may beperformed in a state in which the first PUCCH resource is regarded asthe earliest PUCCH resource A. In contrast, Case 3 shows that the firstPUCCH resource does not overlap with another PUCCH resource and thesecond PUCCH resource overlaps with another PUCCH resource. In Case 3,UCI multiplexing is not performed on the first PUCCH resource. Instead,the process of FIG. 9 may be performed in a state in which the secondPUCCH resource is regarded as the earliest PUCCH resource A. Case 2shows that a MUX PUCCH resource determined to transmit the multiplexedUCI newly overlaps with another PUCCH resource. In this case, theprocess of FIG. 9 may be additionally performed in a state in which theMUX PUCCH resource (or the earliest PUCCH resource (e.g., a PUCCHresource having the earliest start symbol) among the other PUCCHresources including the MUX PUCCH resource) is regarded as the earliestPUCCH resource A.

FIG. 11 illustrates a process for a UE with an overlapping PUCCH andPUSCH in a single slot to handle collision between UL channels.

To transmit UCI, the UE may determine a PUCCH resource (S1101).Determination of the PUCCH resource for the UCI may include determininga MUX PUCCH resource. In other words, determination of the PUCCHresource for the UCI by the UE may include determining the MUX PUCCHresource based on a plurality of overlapping PUCCHs in a slot.

The UE may perform UCI piggyback on a PUSCH resource based on thedetermined (MUX) PUCCH resource (S1103). For example, when there is aPUSCH resource (on which multiplexed UCI transmission is allowed), theUE may apply the UCI multiplexing rule to PUCCH resource(s) overlappingwith the PUSCH resource (on the time axis). The UE may transmit the UCIon the PUSCH.

When there is no PUSCH overlapping with the determined PUCCH resource ina slot, S1103 is omitted and the UCI may be transmitted on the PUCCH.

When the determined PUCCH resource overlaps with a plurality of PUSCHson the time axis, the UE may multiplex the UCI with one of the PUSCHs.For example, when the UE intends to transmit the PUSCHs to respectiveserving cells, the UE may multiplex the UCI on a PUSCH of a specificserving cell (e.g., a serving cell having the smallest serving cellindex) among the serving cells. When more than one PUSCH is present inthe slot of the specific serving cell, the UE may multiplex the UCI onthe earliest PUSCH transmitted in the slot.

FIG. 12 illustrates UCI multiplexing considering a timeline condition.When the UE performs UCI and/or data multiplexing for overlappingPUCCH(s) and/or PUSCH(s) on the time axis, the UE may be lacking inprocessing time for UCI and/or data multiplexing due to flexible ULtiming configuration for the PUCCH or the PUSCH. In order to prevent theprocessing time of the UE from being insufficient, two timelineconditions (hereinafter, multiplexing timeline conditions) describedbelow are considered in a process of performing UCI/data multiplexingfor the overlapping PUCCH(s) and/or PUSCH(s) (on the time axis).

(1) The last symbol of a PDSCH corresponding to HARQ-ACK information isreceived before time N1+ from the start symbol of the earliest channelamong the overlapping PUCCH(s) and/or PUSCH(s) (on the time axis). T1may be determined based on i) a minimum PDSCH processing time N1 definedaccording to a UE processing capability, and/or ii) d1 predefined as aninteger equal to or greater than 0 according to a scheduled symbolposition, a DMRS position in the PUSCH, BWP switching, etc.

(2) The last symbol of a (e.g., triggering) PDCCH for indicating PUCCHor PUSCH transmission is received before time T2 from the start symbolof the earliest channel among overlapping PUCCH(s) and/or PUSCH(s) (onthe time axis). T2 may be determined based on i) a minimum PUSCHpreparation time N1 defined according to a UE PUSCH timing capability,and/or ii) d2 predefined as an integer equal to or greater than 0according to the scheduled symbol position, BWP switching, etc.

Tables below show processing times according to UE processingcapability. Particularly, Table 4 shows a PDSCH processing time forPDSCH processing capability #1 of the UE, Table 5 shows a PDSCHprocessing time for PDSCH processing capability #2 of the UE, Table 6shows a PUSCH preparation time for PDSCH processing capability #1 of theUE, and Table 7 shows a PUSCH processing time for PDSCH processingcapability #2 of the UE.

TABLE 4 PDSCH decoding time N1 [symbols] Front-loaded Front-loaded +u/SCS DMRS only additional DMRS 0/15 kHz 8 13 1/30 kHz 10 13 2/60 kHz 1720 3/120 kHz 20 24

TABLE 5 PDSCH decoding time N1 [symbols] Front-loaded Front-loaded +u/SCS DMRS only additional DMRS 0/15 kHz 3 [13] 1/30 kHz 4.5 [13] 2/60kHz 9 for frequency [20] range 1

TABLE 6 PUSCH preparation time N2 u/SCS [symbols] 0/15 kHz 10 1/30 kHz12 2/60 kHz 23 3/120 kHz 36

TABLE 7 PUSCH preparation time N2 u/SCS [symbols] 0/15 kHz 5 1/30 kHz5.5 2/60 kHz 11 for frequency range 1

If the UE configured to multiplex different UCI types within one PUCCHintends to transmit a plurality of overlapping PUCCHs in a slot ortransmit overlapping PUCCH(s) and PUSCH(s) in a slot, the UE maymultiplex the UCI types when specific conditions are fulfilled. Thespecific conditions may include multiplexing timeline condition(s). Forexample, PUCCH(s) and PUSCH(s) to which UCI multiplexing is applied inFIGS. 9 to 11 may be UL channels that satisfy the multiplexing timelinecondition(s). Referring to FIG. 12 , the UE may need to transmit aplurality of UL channels (e.g., UL channels #1 to #4) in the same slot.Here, UL CH #1 may be a PUSCH scheduled by PDCCH #1. UL CH #2 may be aPUCCH for transmitting HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH. The PDSCH is scheduled byPDCCH #2 and a resource of UL CH #2 may also be indicated by PDCCH #2.

In this case, if overlapping UL channels (e.g., UL channels #1 to #3) onthe time axis satisfy the multiplexing timeline condition, the UE mayperform UCI multiplexing for overlapping UL channels #1 to #3 on thetime axis. For example, the UE may check whether the first symbol of ULCH #3 from the last symbol of the PDSCH satisfies the condition of T1.The UE may also check whether the first symbol of UL CH #3 from the lastsymbol of PDCCH #1 satisfies the condition of T2. If the multiplexingtimeline condition is satisfied, the UE may perform UCI multiplex for ULchannels #1 to #3. In contrast, if the earliest UL channel (e.g., ULchannel having the earliest start symbol) among overlapping UL channelsdoes not satisfy the multiplexing timeline condition, the UE may not beallowed to multiplex all of the corresponding UCI types.

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary transmissions of a plurality of HARQ-ACKPUCCHs in a slot.

The current NR standard document (e.g., 3GPP TS 38.213 V15.2.0)regulates that a UE does not expect to transmit more than one PUCCHcarrying HARQ-ACK information in a slot. Therefore, according to thecurrent NR standard document, the UE is allowed to transmit at most onePUCCH with HARQ-ACK information in one slot. To prevent a situation inwhich the UE cannot transmit HARQ-ACK information due to the limitationof the number of HARQ-ACK PUCCHs that the UE is allowed to transmit, theBS should perform DL scheduling such that HARQ-ACK information ismultiplexed in one PUCCH resource. However, considering a service with astrict latency and reliability requirement such as URLLC service,concentrating a plurality of HARQ-ACK feedbacks only on one PUCCH in aslot may not be preferable in terms of PUCCH performance. Moreover, tosupport a latency-critical service, the BS may have to schedule aplurality of consecutive PDSCHs having a short duration in one slot.Even though the UE may transmit a PUCCH in any symbol(s) in a slotaccording to a configuration/indication of the BS, when the UE isallowed to transmit only one HARQ-ACK PUCCH in the slot, fastback-to-back scheduling of PDSCHs at the BS and fast HARQ-ACK feedbackat the UE are impossible. Therefore, for more flexible and efficientresource use and service support, it is preferable to allow a pluralityof (mutually non-overlapping) HARQ-ACK PUCCHs (or PUSCHs) to betransmitted in one slot as illustrated in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary UL transmission according to the presentdisclosure, when a PUCCH overlaps with a plurality of (mutuallynon-overlapping) HARQ-ACK PUCCHs on the time axis. Particularly, FIG. 14illustrates a UCI multiplexing method, when mutually non-overlappingPUCCHs overlap with another PUCCH. Hereinafter, the other PUCCHoverlapping with the plurality of (mutually non-overlapping) PUCCHs isreferred to as a long PUCCH.

When the transmission durations of a plurality of UL channels(resources) (e.g., a plurality of PUCCH resources) corresponding to aplurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions in a slot overlap with thetransmission duration of a long PUCCH (resource) on the time axis, theUE may operate according to the following example(s). While the presentdisclosure is described in the context of HARQ-ACK by way of example,the implementations of the present disclosure may be applied to otherUCI (e.g., an SR and CSI). In the present disclosure, when it is saidthat a plurality of channels overlap with each other, this may implythat the transmission durations of the plurality of channels belongingto the same carrier and/or different carriers overlap with each other inthe time domain.

(1) Option 1: If UCI of all PUCCH resources overlapping with a longPUCCH resource is transmitted together in a new resource, rapid HARQ-ACKfeedback for back-to-back scheduling of the BS is not possible.Moreover, the performance of a corresponding (new) PUCCH carrying all ofthe UCI associated with the overlapping PUCCH resources may also bedegraded due to an increase in a total payload. Therefore, it may bepreferable to consider multiplexing between the long PUCCH and only someof a plurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions. In Option 1 of the presentdisclosure, therefore, the UE transmits the HARQ-ACK of an HARQ-ACKPUCCH that first overlaps with the long PUCCH among the plurality ofHARQ-ACKs and UCI of the long PUCCH in the new PUCCH resource. Forexample, the UE may determine a PUCCH resource set for the new resourcebased on a total payload size corresponding to the first HARQ-ACKoverlapping with the long PUCCH and the UCI of the long PUCCH, anddetermine a final number of PRBs for the new resource by using the totalpayload size and a maximum coding rate. Referring to FIG. 14 , whenthere are HARQ-ACK1 (PUCCH), HARQ-ACK2 (PUCCH), and HARQ-ACK3 (PUCCH)corresponding respectively to a plurality of (mutually non-overlapping)HARQ-ACK transmissions overlapping with a long PUCCH containing periodicCSI (P-CSI), the UE determines a new PUCCH resource (i.e., MUX PUCCHresource) which will contain the P-CSI and UCI based on HARQ-ACK1, andtransmits the P-CSI and HARQ-ACK1 in the new PUCCH resource, withoutmultiplexing HARQ-ACK2 and HARQ-ACK3 in the new PUCCH resource. (If thePUCCH of HARQ-ACK2 and the PUCCH of HARQ-ACK3 do not overlap with thenew PUCCH resource on the time axis), the UE may transmit HARQ-ACK2 andHARQ-ACK3 in their respective original PUCCH resources other than thenew PUCCH resource.

(2) Option 2: The UE transmits, in the new PUCCH resource, the UCI ofthe long PUCCH and an HARQ-ACK corresponding to a specific targetservice and/or quality of service (QoS) and/or BLER requirement and/orreliability requirement and/or latency requirement and/or processingtime among the plurality of HARQ-ACKs overlapping with the long PUCCH.For example, when among HARQ-ACK 1, HARQ-ACK 2 and HARQ-ACK 3 in FIG. 14, HARQ-ACK2 is a (first) HARQ-ACK corresponding to the specific targetservice, and/or QoS and/or BLER requirement and/or reliabilityrequirement and/or latency requirement and/or processing time, HARQ-ACK2and the P-CSI may be transmitted in the new PUCCH resource. Since thereliability of the HARQ-ACK multiplexed with the other PUCCH will berelatively decreased, compared to the HARQ-ACKs that are not multiplexedwith the other PUCCH, the HARQ-ACK multiplexed with the other PUCCH maybe preferably a relatively low-priority HARQ-ACK. In Option 2,therefore, an HARQ-ACK corresponding to a specific target service and/orQoS and/or BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/orlatency requirement and/or processing time may mean an HARQ-ACKcorresponding to a lower-priority target service and/or QoS and/or BLERrequirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency requirementand/or processing time. The UE may determine a PUCCH resource set forthe new resource based on a total payload size corresponding to the UCIof the long PUCCH and the HARQ-ACK corresponding to the specific targetservice and/or QoS and/or BLER requirement and/or reliabilityrequirement and/or latency requirement and/or processing time, anddetermine a final number of PRBs for the new resource by using the totalpayload size and a maximum coding rate.

When applying Option 2 or Option 3, the UE may operate based on thefollowing rule(s).

-   -   It may be regulated that the UE does not expect overlap between        the new (PUCCH) resource and another PUCCH resource in time        and/or frequency. Alternatively, when the new (PUCCH) resource        overlaps with another PUCCH resource in time and/or frequency,        the UE may determine a new resource based on a UCI payload until        there is no overlap between the PUCCHs. Alternatively, when the        new (PUCCH) resource overlaps with another PUCCH resource in        time and/or frequency, the UE may transmit only the plurality of        HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH (i.e., without the need for        determining the new resource).    -   It may be regulated that the UE does not expect the PUCCH        transmission in the new resource to require a shorter processing        time than a processing time supported by a UE capability.        Alternatively, when the PUCCH transmission in the new resource        requires a shorter processing time than the processing time        supported by the UE capability, the UE may transmit only the        plurality of HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH (i.e., without        the need for determining the new resource).    -   When for the HARQ-ACK, the PUCCH transmission in the new        resource is later than the original HARQ-ACK transmission of the        HARQ-ACK, for example, when the new PUCCH resource in which the        HARQ-ACK is multiplexed follows the original PUCCH resource of        the HARQ-ACK in the time domain, this may not be preferable in        terms of latency. To prevent transmission of the HARQ-ACK in the        new PUCCH resource later than the original HARQ-ACK        transmission, the UE may transmit only the plurality of        HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH (i.e., without the need for        determining the new resource) even though the new PUCCH resource        does not overlap with another PUCCH resource.    -   When the long PUCCH contains a specific UCI type (or CSI part        2), it may be regulated that the UE transmits only the plurality        of HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH.    -   The above rules may also be applied in a similar manner to a        short PUCCH other than a long PUCCH. For example, when a short        PUCCH overlaps with a plurality of (mutually non-overlapping)        PUCCHs on the time axis, the above rules may apply.    -   The above rules have been described in the context of a long        PUCCH overlapping with a plurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions.        However, the rules may also be applied, when a channel other        than a long PUCCH, corresponding to a specific (e.g.,        lower-priority) target service and/or QoS and/or BLER        requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time overlaps with a plurality of        (mutually non-overlapping) HARQ-ACKs. For example, when the        transmission durations of a plurality of UL channels (resources)        corresponding to a plurality of HARQ-ACKs in a slot overlap on        the time axis with the transmission duration of a channel        corresponding to a specific target service and/or QoS and/or        BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time, the above rules may apply.    -   In particular, when at least one of the plurality of HARQ-ACKs        corresponds to the specific target service and/or QoS and/or        BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time, the above rules may apply.        Alternatively, when HARQ-ACK feedback transmissions are allowed        in a plurality of PUCCH resources in a slot, the above rules may        apply. For example, when a slot is divided into a plurality of        sub-slots in the time domain and sub-slot-based HARQ feedbacks        are configured, the above rules may apply.

Now, a description will be given of Option 1 to Option 4 from theperspective of the BS. When the transmission durations of a plurality ofUL channels (resources) (e.g., a plurality of PUCCH resources)corresponding to a plurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions in a slot overlapwith the transmission duration of a long PUCCH (resource) on the timeaxis, the BS may operate according to the following example(s). Whilethe present disclosure is described in the context of HARQ-ACK by way ofexample, the implementations of the present disclosure may be applied toother UCI (e.g., an SR and CSI). In the present disclosure, when it issaid that a plurality of channels overlap with each other, this mayimply that the transmission durations of the plurality of channelsbelonging to the same carrier and/or different carriers overlap witheach other in the time domain.

(1) Option 1: When UCI of all PUCCH resources overlapping with a longPUCCH resource is transmitted together in a new resource, rapid HARQ-ACKfeedback for back-to-back scheduling of the BS is not possible.Moreover, the performance of a corresponding (new) PUCCH carrying all ofthe UCI associated with the overlapping PUCCH resources may also bedegraded due to an increase in a total payload. Therefore, it may bepreferable to consider multiplexing between a long PUCCH and only someof a plurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions. In Option 1 of the presentdisclosure, therefore, the BS may perform decoding, expecting that theUE transmits the HARQ-ACK of an HARQ-ACK PUCCH that first overlaps withthe long PUCCH among the plurality of HARQ-ACKs and UCI of the longPUCCH in the new PUCCH resource. For example, the BS may receive anddecode a new PUCCH, expecting that the UE determines a PUCCH resourceset for the new resource based on a total payload size corresponding tothe first HARQ-ACK overlapping with the long PUCCH and the UCI of thelong PUCCH, and determines a final number of PRBs for the new resourceby using the total payload size and a maximum coding rate.

(2) Option 2: The BS may receive the new PUCCH, expecting that the UEtransmits, in the new PUCCH resource, the UCI of the long PUCCH and anHARQ-ACK corresponding to a specific target service and/or QoS and/orBLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latencyrequirement and/or processing time among the plurality of HARQ-ACKsoverlapping with the long PUCCH. For example, when among HARQ-ACK 1,HARQ-ACK 2 and HARQ-ACK 3 in FIG. 14 , HARQ-ACK2 is a (first) HARQ-ACKcorresponding to the specific target service and/or QoS and/or BLERrequirement, and/or reliability requirement and/or latency requirementand/or processing time, the BS may receive and decode HARQ-ACK2 and theP-CSI in the new PUCCH resource, expecting that the UE transmitsHARQ-ACK2 and the P-CSI in the new PUCCH resource. Since the reliabilityof the HARQ-ACK multiplexed with the other PUCCH will be relativelydecreased, compared to the HARQ-ACKs that are not multiplexed with theother PUCCH, the HARQ-ACK multiplexed with the other PUCCH may bepreferably a relatively low-priority HARQ-ACK. In Option 2, therefore,the HARQ-ACK corresponding to the specific target service and/or QoSand/or BLER requirement, and/or reliability requirement and/or latencyrequirement and/or processing time may mean an HARQ-ACK corresponding toa lower-priority target service and/or QoS and/or BLER requirement,and/or reliability requirement and/or latency requirement and/orprocessing time.

When applying Option 2 or Option 3, the BS may operate based on thefollowing rule(s).

-   -   The BS may perform scheduling such that the new (PUCCH) resource        does not overlap with another PUCCH resource in time and/or        frequency. Alternatively, when the new (PUCCH) resource overlaps        with another PUCCH resource in time and/or frequency, the BS may        expect that the UE determines a new resource based on a UCI        payload until there is no overlap between the PUCCHs.        Alternatively, when the new (PUCCH) resource overlaps with        another PUCCH resource in time and/or frequency, the BS may        receive and decode the plurality of HARQ-ACKs, expecting that        the UE transmits only the plurality of HARQ-ACKs, dropping the        long PUCCH (i.e., without determining the new resource).    -   The BS may perform scheduling such that the PUCCH transmission        in the new resource does not require a shorter processing time        than a processing time supported by a UE capability.        Alternatively, when the PUCCH transmission in the new resource        requires a shorter processing time than the processing time        supported by the UE capability, the BS may receive and decode        the plurality of HARQ-ACKs, expecting that the UE transmits only        the plurality of HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH (i.e.,        without determining the new resource).    -   When for the HARQ-ACK, the PUCCH transmission in the new        resource is later than the original HARQ-ACK transmission of the        HARQ-ACK, for example, when the new PUCCH resource in which the        HARQ-ACK is multiplexed follows the original PUCCH resource of        the HARQ-ACK in the time domain, this may not be preferable in        terms of latency. To prevent transmission of the HARQ-ACK in the        new PUCCH resource later than the original HARQ-ACK        transmission, the BS may receive and decode the plurality of        HARQ-ACKs, expecting that the UE transmits only the plurality of        HARQ-ACKs, dropping the long PUCCH (i.e., without the need for        determining the new resource) even though the new PUCCH resource        does not overlap with another PUCCH resource.    -   When the long PUCCH contains a specific UCI type (or CSI part        2), the BS may receive and decode the plurality of HARQ-ACKs,        expecting that the UE transmits only the plurality of HARQ-ACKs,        dropping the long PUCCH.    -   The above rules may also be applied in a similar manner to a        short PUCCH other than a long PUCCH. For example, when a short        PUCCH overlaps with a plurality of (mutually non-overlapping)        PUCCHs on the time axis, the above rules may apply.    -   The above rules have been described in the context of a long        PUCCH overlapping with a plurality of HARQ-ACK transmissions.        However, the rules may also be applied, when a channel other        than a long PUCCH, corresponding to a specific (e.g.,        lower-priority) target service and/or QoS and/or BLER        requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time overlaps with a plurality of        (mutually non-overlapping) HARQ-ACKs. For example, when the        transmission durations of a plurality of UL channels (resources)        corresponding to a plurality of HARQ-ACKs in a slot overlap on        the time axis with the transmission duration of a channel        corresponding to a specific target service and/or QoS and/or        BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time, the above rules may apply.    -   In particular, when at least one of the plurality of HARQ-ACKs        corresponds to the specific target service and/or QoS and/or        BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency        requirement and/or processing time, the above rules may apply.        Alternatively, when HARQ-ACK feedback transmissions are allowed        in a plurality of PUCCH resources in a slot, the above rules may        apply. For example, when a slot is divided into a plurality of        sub-slots in the time domain and sub-slot-based HARQ feedbacks        are configured, the above rules may apply.

In the present disclosure, the target service and/or QoS and/or BLERrequirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency requirementand/or processing time of a specific channel/UCI may be configured by ahigher-layer signal, indicated explicitly or implicitly by a specificfield of DCI, or identified by a search space to which a PDCCH (thatschedules DL/UL data) belongs, identified by a control resource set(CORESET) to which the PDCCH (that schedules DL/UL data) belongs,identified by a DCI format, or identified by CRC masking of the PDCCH.The example(s) of the present disclosure may also be applied to handlingof a plurality of types of channels/UCI identified by a specific fieldof DCI, a search space to which a PDCCH belongs, a CORESET to which thePDCCH belongs, an RNTI, a DCI format, or CRC masking of the PDCCH,without explicit indication of the target service and/or QoS and/or BLERrequirement and/or reliability requirement and/or latency requirementand/or processing time of the specific channel/UCI. The examples of thepresent disclosure may apply by replacing “UCI channel corresponding toa specific target service and/or QoS and/or BLER requirement and/orreliability requirement and/or latency requirement and/or processingtime and/or UCI type” with “specific UCI/channel identified by aspecific field of DCI, a search space to which a PDCCH belongs, aCORESET to which the PDCCH belongs, an RNTI, a DCI format, or CRCmasking of the PDCCH, among a plurality of types of UCI/channels”.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary method of transmitting a UL signal by acommunication device according to an example of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the communication device may receive DL channels(e.g., PDSCHs) and determine PUCCH resources for HARQ-ACK transmissionsfor the respective DL channels. In the present disclosure, a PUCCHresource for a PUCCH transmission triggered/configured/indicated by a DLchannel is referred to as an HARQ-ACK resource.

When a plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCH resources (which do not overlap witheach other on the time axis) overlap with another PUCCH resource(hereinafter, referred to as PUCCH resource B) in the time domain, thecommunication device may determine, based on one (hereinafter, referredto as PUCCH resource A) of the plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCH resources andPUCCH resource B, a new PUCCH resource (hereinafter, referred to asPUCCH resource C) in which HARQ-ACK information (hereinafter, referredto as HARQ-ACK A) to be transmitted on a PUCCH of HARQ-ACK PUCCHresource A is to be multiplexed with UCI (hereinafter, referred to asUCI B) to be carried on a PUCCH of PUCCH resource B (S1501). Forexample, the communication device may determine the new PUCCH resourceand the total number of PRBs for the new PUCCH resource based on thetotal size of payload of UCI including HARQ-ACK A and UCI B. Forexample, the communication device may determine a PUCH resource set foraccommodating the total payload based on HARQ-ACK A and UCI B from amongPUCCH resource sets available to the communication device and determinea PUCCH resource indicated by a related PRI as PUCCH resource C fromamong the PUCCH resources of the determined PUCCH resource set. Thecommunication device may determine the total number of PRBs for PUCCHresource C based on the total payload and a maximum coding rate relatedto PUCCH resource C.

The communication device may multiplex HARQ-ACK A and UCI B in PUCCHresource C. For example, the communication device may transmit a PUCCHcontaining HARQ-ACK A and UCI B in PUCCH resource C (S1503). Thecommunication device does not multiplex the remaining HARQ-ACK payloadsexcept for HARQ-ACK A among HARQ-ACK payloads related to the pluralityof respective HARQ-ACK resources, in PUCCH resource C. In other words,the communication device does not transmit the remaining HARQ-ACKpayloads in PUCCH resource C.

The earliest of the plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCH resources on the timeaxis may be used as PUCCH resource A.

Among the plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCH resources, a PUCCH resource forHARQ-ACK information corresponding to a specific target service and/orQoS and/or BLER requirement and/or reliability requirement and/orlatency requirement and/or processing time may be used as PUCCH resourceA.

When PUCCH resource C overlaps with another PUCCH resource in timeand/or frequency, the transmission device may determine a PUCCH resourcebased on the UCI payload until there is no overlap between the PUCCHs.Alternatively, when PUCCH resource C overlaps with another PUCCHresource in time and/or frequency, the communication device performs thePUCCH transmissions in the plurality of respective PUCCH resources,dropping the PUCCH transmission of PUCCH resource B (i.e., thetransmission of UCI B). In other words, when PUCCH resource C overlapswith another PUCCH resource in time and/or frequency, the communicationdevice may transmit the respective HARQ-ACK payloads in the plurality ofrespective PUCCH resources, dropping the PUCCH resource in PUCCHresource B (i.e., the transmission of UCI B) (without determining PUCCHresource C). PUCCH resource B may be dropped, when the PUCCH of PUCCHresource B includes a specific UCI type.

When PUCCH resource B overlaps with the plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCHresources on the time axis, and when PUCCH resource B is for a PUCCHtransmission corresponding to a specific (e.g., lower-priority) targetservice and/or QoS and/or BLER requirement and/or reliabilityrequirement and/or latency requirement and/or processing time, thecommunication device may determine PUCCH resource C based on HARQ-ACKinformation of one of the plurality of HARQ-ACK PUCCH resources and UCIB of PUCCH resource B.

The communication device of the present disclosure includes at least oneprocessor; and at least one computer memory operatively coupled to theat least one processor and storing instructions which when executed,cause the at least one processor to perform operations according to theexample(s) of the present disclosure.

The examples of the present disclosure as described above have beenpresented to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to implementand practice the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure hasbeen described with reference to the examples, those skilled in the artmay make various modifications and variations in the example of thepresent disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the examples set for the herein, but is to be accorded thebroadest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosedherein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The implementations of the present disclosure may be used in a BS, a UE,or other equipment in a wireless communication system.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of transmitting hybrid automaticrepeat request-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) information by a communicationdevice in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: in astate in which a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resourceassociated with first uplink control information (UCI) overlaps with aplurality of PUCCH resources associated with a plurality of HARQ-ACKpayloads in a time domain, determining a third PUCCH resource formultiplexing the first UCI and a first HARQ-ACK payload associated witha second PUCCH resource being one of the plurality of PUCCH resources,based on the first HARQ-ACK payload and the first UCI; and transmittingthe first HARQ-ACK payload and the first UCI in the third PUCCHresource, wherein the remaining HARQ-ACK payloads except for the firstHARQ-ACK payload among the plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads are nottransmitted in the third PUCCH resource.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the second PUCCH resource is an earliest PUCCH resourceamong the plurality of PUCCH resources.
 3. The method according to claim1, wherein the second PUCCH resource is a PUCCH resource associated witha specific type of downlink channel among the plurality of PUCCHresources.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the specific typeof downlink channel is a first type of channel between the first type ofchannel and a second type of channel, and wherein the first type ofchannel has a lower quality of service (QoS) requirement than the secondtype of channel.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:in a state in which the third PUCCH resource overlaps with another PUCCHresource in the time domain, transmitting the plurality of HARQ-ACKpayloads respectively in the plurality of PUCCH resources, whiledropping transmission of the first UCI in the first PUCCH resource. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of PUCCHresources do not overlap with each other in the time domain.
 7. Acommunication device for transmitting hybrid automatic repeatrequest-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) information in a wirelesscommunication system, the communication device comprising: at least onetransceiver; at least one processor; and at least one computer memoryoperatively coupled to the at least one processor and storinginstructions which when executed, cause the at least one processor toperform operations comprising: in a state in which a first physicaluplink control channel (PUCCH) resource associated with first uplinkcontrol information (UCI) overlaps with a plurality of PUCCH resourcesassociated with a plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads in a time domain,determining a third PUCCH resource for multiplexing the first UCI and afirst HARQ-ACK payload associated with a second PUCCH resource being oneof the plurality of PUCCH resources, based on the first HARQ-ACK payloadand the first UCI; and transmitting the first HARQ-ACK payload and thefirst UCI in the third PUCCH resource through the at least onetransceiver, and wherein the remaining HARQ-ACK payloads except for thefirst HARQ-ACK payload among the plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads are nottransmitted in the third PUCCH resource.
 8. The communication deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the second PUCCH resource is an earliestPUCCH resource among the plurality of PUCCH resources.
 9. Thecommunication device according to claim 7, wherein the second PUCCHresource is a PUCCH resource associated with a specific type of downlinkchannel among the plurality of PUCCH resources.
 10. The communicationdevice according to claim 9, wherein the specific type of downlinkchannel is a first type of channel between the first type of channel anda second type of channel, and wherein the first type of channel has alower quality of service (QoS) requirement than the second type ofchannel.
 11. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein theoperations further comprise: in a state in which the third PUCCHresource overlaps with another PUCCH resource in the time domain,transmitting the plurality of HARQ-ACK payloads respectively in theplurality of PUCCH resources, while dropping transmission of the firstUCI in the first PUCCH resource.
 12. The communication device accordingto claim 7, wherein the plurality of PUCCH resources do not overlap witheach other in the time domain.
 13. The communication device according toclaim 7, wherein the communication device includes an autonomous drivingvehicle communicable with at least a user equipment (UE), a network, oranother autonomous driving vehicle other than the communication device.